City have stepped up their interest in Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the teenager emerging as one of the club’s leading targets this summer.
According to The Guardian, City are prepared to rival several of Europe’s biggest clubs for the 18-year-old after an impressive breakthrough campaign, with Lille expected to demand a fee in the region of £85m.
Bouaddi’s stock has continued to rise over the past 12 months, establishing himself as one of Ligue 1’s brightest young midfielders before enhancing his reputation on the international stage with Morocco.
The report claims Hugo Viana has identified the midfielder as a player capable of strengthening City’s options in the centre of the pitch as the club continues to plan for the future under new boss Enzo Maresca.
While Bouaddi is still at the beginning of his career, his composure in possession, ability to progress the ball through midfield and tactical intelligence have already drawn comparisons with some of Europe’s most accomplished midfielders.
City’s recruitment in recent windows has reflected a clear emphasis on signing players before they reach their peak, and Bouaddi would fit that profile should the Premier League champions decide to formalise their interest.
Any move is likely to prove complicated given Lille’s valuation and competition from elsewhere, but the latest update suggests Bouaddi is firmly on City’s radar as they assess midfield reinforcements ahead of the new season.
